Help me develop my show - I am Enough; a cabaret

Hi! Thank you for being here to learn more about my campaign.

My name is Sherry Garner. I am a professional musical theatre actress and when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2019 I thought it was a death sentence but with time and support from my medical team, my friends and family and my community I was able to get back on my feet. And it was the power of working on a show in honour of my 50th birthday that helped bring me back to a place of triumph.

When I was first diagnosed, I remember searching the internet and looking for stories of triumph over this often debilitating disorder. I felt like I couldn't find any that I could identify with. So I vowed one day to be that success story.

I am thrilled to be able to be that story of triumph. The show I AM ENOUGH is a cabaret in which I tell my story. It’s a story of an ordinary woman who has had some extraordinary challenges. In the show, I share both my challenges and my triumphs through song and storytelling.

Each show includes a “Coffee Talk” after the performance. It's an opportunity for us to share a safe space to talk about the topics that the show may provoke. For me, the theatre is a sanctuary for telling stories and your story is important to us. Our “Coffee talks” are centred around a panel of community members and most importantly someone to help answer the question, Now what?

You see, I believe the one thing that keeps us falling forward is hope. Hope is the flame and love is the fuel that fans the flame. I hope that as you experience the show you feel the love I am sharing and your flame of hope will be a little bit brighter. Together we can make a difference.

WHY AM I RAISING FUNDS?

I am thrilled to say that the show has been invited to take part in two exciting festivals this June.

The Brave New Arts Festival hosted by Theatre Aquarius and the

ArtsFEST hosted by the Westdale Theatre in Hamilton, ON.

To participate in these events, I need to rehearse the show, I need to work with my incredible team to adapt it to a wider audience. We need to workshop and test out our new material. The team I have assembled is incredible and some of the best in the field in Canada.

For more information on the team please visit www.coffeetalktheatre.com

I am also producing these performances myself through my new company Coffee Talk Theatre Productions. It means at the moment the expenses are coming out of my own pocket. When you donate to my campaign you are helping me bring this show to life.

You are helping me reach those who need my story. You are also helping me to keep the show accessible to all. Theatre is a powerful way to experience storytelling. It is also expensive to produce. So often ticket prices are not accessible to those who are without the means to purchase. Your donation helps us to keep our ticket prices accessible.

With your donation, you are helping me create a high-quality professional show that can be adapted for large concert halls to a high school gymnasium.

Each show has a fundraising component as well. With the committed partnership of the Canadian Mental Health Association proceeds will go to CMHA Hamilton.

Most of all you are helping me see my vision come true. This show is my therapy. It is my opportunity to give back to my community and provide hope. As I remind others that they are enough it helps me to remember that I AM ENOUGH.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support.

Sherry